Alameda County Biographies
THOMAS M. ROBINSON
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
Thomas M. Robinson, a highly respected and representative citizen of Oakland, ably
discharges the duties devolving upon him in the capacity of assistant assessor of Alameda
county, having been appointed to that position in 1880 and having held the same continuously
since with the exception of four years. His birth occurred near Jacksonville, Jackson county,
Oregon, on the 28th of February, 1858, his father being one of the pioneer settlers in both
California and Oregon coming to the former state in 1849. The latter enjoyed a reputation as an
able physician and surgeon and was also recognized as one of the stanch upbuilders of the new
and growing western commonwealths.
Thomas M. Robinson acquired his early education in the common schools of his native
state and when ten years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to California, here
continuing his studies as a high-school student. After putting aside his text-books he secured a
position in a furniture store and continued to devote his attention to that line of business
until 1880, when he was appointed assistant assessor of Alameda county. A third of a century has
since passed and, with the exception of four years spent as clerk of superior court No. 2, Hon.
F. W. Henshaw, judge, he has held the office throughout that entire period. Such a record speaks
for itself most convincingly and requires no eulogistic comment.
On the 27th of July, 1887, Mr. Robinson was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary J. Havens,
who was born in Crown Point, Essex county, New York, and came to California with her parents in
1868. Five children have been born of this marriage. Mr. Robinson is identified with numerous
fraternal organizations, belonging to Sequoia Lodge, F. & A. M., of Oakland ; Oakland Consistory,
No. 2, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of F. M. ; S. J. R. S. A.; Live Oak Lodge, No. 17, K. P.;
Oakland Tent, K. O. T. M.; and Oakland Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is likewise a member of Oakland Camp
of the Woodmen of the World, in which organization he has passed all of the chairs, having been
clerk for the past twenty-three years, and has also been head manager of the Pacific Jurisdiction
of the Woodmen of the World for eight years. On account of his father's service in the Civil war he
is eligible to membership in the Sons of Veterans, and his name may be found on the roster of E. D.
Baker Camp, No. 5, of which he is past commander. He is also past chancellor of his lodge in the
Knights of Pythias. Mr. Robinson is one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Oakland
and his substantial qualities of manhood and of character have gained for him an enviable position
in the regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California � Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914, p. 159